Lot 1106 D α

Mrs Hanakamp (1793-1875) was the wife of Emperor Franz Joseph's first personal valet. A reproduction of the painting (Feuchtmüller 1996, no. 565) is in the possession of the Museum Nordico, Linz (inv. no. 10.880). The artist triumphs with his exquisite fabric painting. The lady depicted is dressed in an elegant, off-the-shoulder white gown whose bright, iridescent colours form an attractive contrast to her black, curly hair. A double-breasted lace collar frames the neckline of her dress. She wears white gloves with ruffles as a sophisticated accessory. The gold jewellery, whose pearls and stones radiate a noble shine, was painted with particular care. Waldmüller's virtuosity in reproducing a wide variety of fabrics precisely and realistically comes to the fore in this portrait. He convincingly portrays Mrs Hanakamp's personality. The distant gaze lends her a graceful and dreamy aura.